Range Resource Assistant

DescriptionRange Resource Assistant - AmeriCorps (1 opening)Conservation Legacy Program:Arizona Conservation CorpsSite Location: Red Rock Ranger District (8375 State Route 79, Sedona, AZ 86351)Term of Service: Start Date: 4/27/2026 (anticipated) End Date: 10/23/2026 AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours Purpose: This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Red Rock Ranger District as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for Coconino National Forest. AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. Coconino National Forest: One of six National Forests in Arizona, the Coconino National Forest comprises 1.856-million acres in northern Arizona, with elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (Humphrey's Peak). Coconino National Forest contains a variety of landscapes, including deserts, ponderosa pine forests, flatlands, mesas, alpine tundra, and ancient volcanic peaks. The forest surrounds the towns of Sedona and Flagstaff and contains all or parts of 10 designated wilderness areas. Red Rock Ranger District: The Red Rock Ranger District is situated in the Verde Valley, and its "red rock country" is world-renowned for its dramatic red sandstone scenery. At its heart is the city of Sedona, which attracts millions of visitors each year. The district receives half of the annual forest visitation (over 2 million visitors each year) and has many volunteers and partners involved in day-to-day management. The local communities of Central and Northern Arizona have strong ties to this special landscape, and the wider community of Phoenix and beyond have a deep appreciation for red rock country which offers an idyllic recreational experience amongst one of the most beautiful regions of the state. On the Red Rock Ranger District, the Range Team is responsible for managing nine highly complex allotments and permittees ranging from fifth generation to brand new ranchers and one university. The responsibilities of the team are dynamic and full of exciting challenges supporting ranchers through post-fire improvements and repairs, coordinating volunteer efforts, monitoring range conditions, administering permits, and managing permittee relationships. Description of Duties: Rangeland management specialists work to provide such things as habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, clean water, and sustainable grazing and browsing. They inventory, classify, and monitor rangeland conditions to maintain or improve rangeland health. When they identify unhealthy rangelands, they strive to restore rangeland ecosystem functions. Forest Service rangeland management includes a whole host of partners, public and private, working together to ensure our rangelands are healthy and functioning properly. The intern will be critical to monitoring the status of the allotments on the Red Rock Ranger District; this will include making observations on opportunities to improve allotments and participating in projects that restore grazing conditions and ecosystem health and manage for neighboring uses (such as recreation and fire). The intern will be participating in bare area monitoring to determine how forage capacity is being affected by recreation. Acres of grassland in the lower Verde valley have increased recreational use and is an at-risk system ecosystem for perennial and native plants. The intern will monitor riparian areas to ensure grazing compliance for threatened or endangered species in the Colorado River Basin and Verde River Watershed, and will work on range infrastructure to better mitigate recreation and create a more enjoyable trail experience. The intern will be integrated with the broader District team which includes Wildlife Biologists, Archaeologists, Fire and Fuels Specialists, Recreation Managers, Interpretive Specialists, and GIS experts. They will interact and collaborate with these specialists and subject matter experts on a day-to-day basis exposing them to a variety of backgrounds and mission focus. At the beginning of the internship, and throughout, the supervisor will discuss professional development opportunities and identify opportunities to cross-train, job shadow, seek mentorship, and gain new experience. Essential Responsibilities and Functions: Assist Range Staff with compliance monitoring of grazing allotments to ensure permit terms and Forest Plan standards are met. Conduct field observations related to livestock use, utilization levels, riparian condition, and infrastructure (fences, waters, gates). Collect, record, and organize monitoring data using established Forest Service protocols. Assist with long-term vegetation and rangeland health monitoring, including photo points, transects, and ecological site documentation. Communicate observations and findings to supervisors and contribute to monitoring summaries. Assist with field data collection in support of NEPA analyses for rangeland and natural resource projects. Help document environmental conditions related to soils, vegetation, wildlife habitat, and watershed health. Support interdisciplinary team efforts by assisting with mapping, data entry, and project preparation tasks. Gain exposure to the NEPA process, environmental compliance requirements, and decision-making frameworks. Assist with the daily care, feeding, grooming, and basic health checks of Forest Service horses and mules. Participate in safe handling, saddling, and packing activities as appropriate to skill level. Assist with maintaining tack, corrals, and horse facilities. Support mounted or pack-supported fieldwork when applicable. Participate in horse handling and training activities to build stock management skills. Attend flora and fauna identification trainings relevant to the local ecosystem. Gain cross-agency experience by collaborating with other Forest Service programs and partner agencies (e.g., wildlife, recreation, fire, or other federal/state partners). Act as a representative of the Forest Service when interacting with permittees, partners, and the public in the field, as appropriate. Qualifications: United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien. At least 18 years of age. Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award. Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check. Demonstrate professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance. Valid driver's license (must be over 21 OR have had license for 3 years if under 21). The outstanding candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter with excellent communication and organizational skills, and be able to quickly become a well-functioning member of a dynamic team. The position requires interaction with members of the public, including range permittees and their staff. Ability to represent self and the Agency professionally in these situations will be critical. Preferred Qualifications: Background or completed studies in natural resource management will be a benefit to the position. Physical Requirements: This position involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including walking long distances over uneven, rocky, wet, or steep terrain, bending, crouching, lifting, carrying equipment, and working in variable weather conditions. Exposure to livestock, horses, wildlife, insects, and environmental hazards such as heat, cold, sun exposure, and dust. Potential risks associated with fieldwork in remote locations, including limited cell service. All activities will be conducted following Forest Service safety protocols and under appropriate supervision. Conservation Legacy is committed to all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. Time Requirements: Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service. Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. Orientation and Training: Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Benefits: Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of position. Living Allowance of $600 per week. Additional Benefit of $175 per week. Public Lands Corps Certificate Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna. Childcare Coverage. Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps. To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify. Evaluation and Reporting: As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. Supervisor Name: This position reports to Noelle Resignolo, Range Specialist with Coconino National Forest. To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application by clicking the APPLY link on this page. If you have questions, contact AZCC's Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at . Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Created: 2026-03-04